The NWN Over 80s’ parcels delivered to elderly residents across the area

The NWN Over 80s’ parcels have all now been delivered.

Our thanks go to all the schools and community groups who helped us hand out nearly 2,000 bags of goodies to residents across the district.

And further thanks to all the cubs and their leaders who gave up their time to help with the huge feat of packing the parcels at Sainsbury’s Newbury too.

They were ably helped by Newbury mayor Nigel Foot as they filled new reusable linen bags with some special Christmas treats inside – plus of course some food items that will come in handy over the next few weeks.

One of those essential items is tea bags, keeping up our tradition of 100 years ago.

The Parcel Fund is not means tested in any way, as money is no bar to loneliness; it is purely a seasonal ‘thank you’ from the whole of the community to our elderly residents.

Jo Fulker, coordinator of the parcel fund, which is supported by Greenham Trust, said: “My thanks go to many Sainsbury’s staff, especially Carol Irwin the PR Ambassador, who has coordinated the food and the packing, who all very kindly gave up some of their spare time to help us this year.

Over the weekend groups including schools, colleges and voluntary organisations, such as Rotary Clubs, collected the parcels from three distribution centres and then delivered them personally to all our elderly recipients.

For some of these people, who are unable to get out of their house, or may live far away from friends or relatives, the delivery of the food parcel is one of the main events they look forward to over the Christmas period.

We have already received a number of grateful messages from very happy residents, thanking us – and you – for the lovely parcels.

We wish them, and all of our helpers, fundraisers and supporters, a very merry Christmas.